Asbestos fragments found at Melbourne parks could have been illegally dumped, according to the environmental watchdog.
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is investigating after asbestos fragments were found in the mulch of up to six Melbourne parks within the Hobsons Bay City Council and Merri-bek Council areas.
Investigations are continuing into who supplied the mulch to three Altona North parks at the centre of the investigation.
Hobsons Bay City Council has been unable to supply the name of the mulch producer for GJ Hosken Reserve, an off-lead dog area, to the EPA, but it is believed that it was delivered in 2017.
Asbestos fragments have also been confirmed at Crofts Reserve.
The EPA says asbestos fragments found at PJ Lynch Reserve in Altona North and bonded asbestos debris at Donald McLean Reserve in Spotswood are likely to be the result of illegal waste dumping.
“The EPA believes the source of asbestos and other contaminants at the site was illegal dumping of construction and demolition waste after the mulch was delivered,” the EPA said in a statement.
Two small “cement sheet like” fragments found by a concerned resident in Shore Reserve in Pascoe Vale South is yet to be confirmed as asbestos, but the EPA says it’s likely to come from littering rather than in mulch supplied to the park.
Inspections are also taking place in Merri-bek after reports of asbestos fragments being seen during the construction of a park Hosken Reserve in North Coburg back in January.
The EPA says asbestos is in the soil, rather than linked to a mulch supplier.
Merri-bek Council confirmed the asbestos-contaminated soil was found within the area closed for the major upgrade works.
This contaminated soil was professionally removed but more asbestos-contaminated soil was discovered recently, again within the construction site area closed for major upgrade works.
The newly located contaminated soil is being removed.
Hobsons Bay City Council says sections of Crofts Reserve, Hosken Reserve, and Lynch Reserve, all in Altona North, will be closed until further notice.
